Free Westward Hearts by Melody Carlson Page A

your poor mother.”
    “I’m so sorry.” Elizabeth patted Clara’s hand with a curious look. Either Elizabeth was mistaken or her mother was up to something.
    Clara turned to Asa now. “It seems our hands are tied. Apparently the only thing left to do is to pack up and go with them.”
    Asa’s heavy brows arched. “Go with them? Have you lost your senses, woman? You want to go with them? At our age?”
    Clara tilted her head to one side. “But you just said I’m not an old woman, Asa.”
    “Well, you aren’t. Not exactly, anyway. But you cannot be serious.”
    She gave him a stern look. “I am serious. If the children insist on doing this, I must insist on going with them.”
    He blinked. “You can’t possibly mean what you’re saying, Clara.”
    She nodded firmly. “I do mean this. Matthew and Elizabeth…Jamie and Ruthie…they are all I have.”
    “You have me,” Asa said meekly.
    She put her hand on his cheek. “I know, dear. It would be terribly hard to leave you behind. But there are four of them…and only one of you. So tell me true, Asa, could you honestly sit by and watch them leave—perhaps never to be seen again?”
    “Well, I… uh…I don’t know for sure.”
    “You used to be a strong and adventurous man, Asa. You loved hunting and fishing and riding the horses.” Clara squeezed his arm. “I hate to say it, but you’ve let yourself get a little soft.”
    Now he lifted his arm, flexing his muscle with a determined look. “I am not soft!”
    She squeezed again and then chuckled. “No, I see you’re not. That’s what I’m saying, Asa. There’s a lot of life left in you—and in me. Why shouldn’t we want to have an adventure together? And with our children and grandchildren? Certainly, you don’t want to spend the rest of your days sitting in your rocking chair, do you?”
    He frowned. “Well, no…of course not.”
    “So why shouldn’t we go? What is stopping us?” She looked directly into his eyes. “You’re not scared, are you?”
    “Scared?” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “No, no…I’m not scared. But I’ve read a lot about the Oregon Trail. It’s a grueling trip, Clara. Full of perils and pitfalls and dangers.”
    “So you are scared?”
    “No.” He shook his head. “I am not scared. But are you sure you’re capable of such a strenuous journey?”
    She sat up straighter, narrowing her eyes. “You doubt me?”
    “No, no…I’m not saying that, dear. But have you given this serious thought?”
    “I have thought of little else since Christmas Eve.”
    Asa looked at Elizabeth now. He appeared to be just as stunned as she. “What do you think about this?”
    She paused to consider her words. “I think…well, if you and Mother know this is the right thing for you…I mean, if you truly believe God is leading you in this direction…then I would love nothing more than for you to join us on this adventure.”
    He frowned with uncertainty. “You don’t think we’re too old?”
    She smiled. “I think you and Mother have so much to offer in the way of experience and wisdom and knowledge.”
    He nodded. “That’s true.”
    “And if there are tasks that are difficult along the trail, you will have Matthew and me and the children to help. And you are both strong and in good health.”
    “That’s true,” he said again.
    She reached out and grasped both their hands. “I want whatever is best for you.”
    “And I want the good Lord to lead us,” Asa said quietly.
    “Maybe he is leading us,” Clara suggested. “Remember the scripture…‘A little child shall lead them’? Perhaps our children are leading us.”
    Asa nodded thoughtfully as he turned back to Clara. “You truly want to do this?”
    She nodded with misty eyes. “I do, Asa.”
    He took in a deep breath and finally smiled. “Then so do I.”
    Elizabeth could hardly believe her ears. “You do?”
    His smile turned into a grin. “There’s so much to be done.” He stood. “I need to